Content about Private equity

May 10, 2013
Private equity firm TowerBrook Capital to acquire True Religion for $835 million

True Religion Apparel has entered into a definitive merger agreement with New York and London-based investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, in a transaction valued at approximately $835 million.

Vernon, Calif. -- True Religion Apparel has entered into a definitive merger agreement with New York and London-based investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, in a transaction valued at approximately $835 million.

March 15, 2013
The Retail M&A Market: Trends for 2013

Mergers and acquisitions transaction activity in the U.S. retail sector jumped 39% in 2012 for deals greater than $50 million, while total deal value more than doubled. These gains point to an industry undergoing major changes, one that is attracting considerable interest from a wide range of players.

March 7, 2013
Donahue Schriber secures $100 million in additional growth capital

Donahue Schriber announced that its major investors New York State Teachers’ Retirement System and J.P. Morgan Strategic Property Fund have approved an additional $100 million common equity investment for growth capital.

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber announced that its major investors New York State Teachers’ Retirement System and J.P. Morgan Strategic Property Fund have approved an additional $100 million common equity investment for growth capital.   

The money will be utilized to help fund the company’s strategic growth plans over the next three to five years, according to chairman and CEO Patrick S. Donahue.

March 7, 2013
Sycamore Partners to acquire Hot Topic for $600 million

Hot Topic announced it has agreed to be acquired by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $14.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $600 million.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic announced it has agreed to be acquired by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $14.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $600 million.

The agreement, unanimously approved by Hot Topic’s board of directors, represents a premium of approximately 30% over Hot Topic’s closing stock price on March 6, 2013.

February 13, 2013
Toys “R” Us CEO stepping down

The search is on for a new chief executive of Toys “R” Us with the announcement that Gerald L. Storch is stepping down as CEO of the company.

Wayne, N.J. -- The search is on for a new chief executive of Toys “R” Us with the announcement that Gerald L. Storch is stepping down as CEO of the company. The news comes just weeks after the world's largest dedicated toy retailer reported that its same-store U.S. sales fell 4.5% during the holiday season, and that its total sales fell 4.7%. 

December 13, 2012
Report: Best Buy founder to make $5 billion to $6 billion buy-back bid

A report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune said that Best Buy Co. founder Richard Schulze is expected to make a fully financed offer of $5 billion to $6 billion by the end of the week to buy the retailer.

New York -- A Thursday report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune said that Best Buy Co. founder Richard Schulze is expected to make a fully financed offer of $5 billion to $6 billion by the end of the week to buy the retailer.     

The newspaper cited an unnamed source for the report.

The bid would fall below Schulze’s August offer of up to $10.9 billion including debt.

Best Buy has not yet commented publicly on the report.

December 4, 2012
Report: Private equity firm increases stake in DSW

Multiple reports on revealed that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has upped its stake in shoe retailer DSW Inc. to 1.3 million shares – or 3% of the company.

New York -- Multiple reports on Tuesday revealed that private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has upped its stake in shoe retailer DSW Inc. to 1.3 million shares – or 3% of the company.

The news sent DSW shares upward as much as 6% on Tuesday.

Leonard Green previously owned 981,196 shares in DSW before raising its stake. It was forced to disclose its new position after a request for confidential treatment expired on Nov. 28.

 

November 26, 2012
Versa Capital Management acquires Eastern Mountain Sports

Versa Capital Management, a Philadelphia-based private equity investment firm, has acquired Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), effective immediately.

Philadelphia -- Versa Capital Management, a Philadelphia-based private equity investment firm, has acquired Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), effective immediately. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mark Walsh, a Versa principal and chairman of Bob’s Stores, a northeastern apparel retailer that is part of the Versa portfolio, will serve as chairman of the board of EMS, which operates 69 stores in 12 Eastern states.

October 23, 2012
Cerberus reportedly seeking financing for Supervalu deal

Multiple reports suggested that private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which owns Albertsons LLC, may be putting together a deal to buy all or part of the grocery chain.

New York -- Multiple reports on Monday suggested that private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which owns Albertsons LLC, may be putting together a deal to buy all or part of the grocery chain.

Cerberus is said to be seeking $4 billion to $5 billion in debt financing from banks to back a bid and is looking at investing $800 to $900 in equity in its takeover quest, a person familiar with the matter is reported to have said. That same source cautioned that the figures could change.

August 27, 2012
Best Buy and Schulze in due diligence deal

Best Buy Co. announced that it has agreed to let founder and former chairman Richard Schulze conduct due diligence and form an investment group with private equity sponsors as he tries to take the retailer private.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. announced Monday that it has agreed to let founder and former chairman Richard Schulze conduct due diligence and form an investment group with private equity sponsors as he tries to take the retailer private.

Best Buy said its agreement with Schulze establishes a non-exclusive, orderly process that satisfies his requests and protects the interests of shareholders.

August 17, 2012
Neiman Marcus prepares to go public

A report by the Wall Street Journal said that Warburg Pincus and TPG, the private-equity owners of Neiman Marcus Group Inc., are looking for an exit.

Dallas -- A Thursday report by the Wall Street Journal said that Warburg Pincus and TPG, the private-equity owners of Neiman Marcus Group Inc., are looking for an exit.

The firms paid $5.1 billion for Neiman Marcus seven years ago; the company is currently valued, according to analysts, at about $4 billion.

August 16, 2012
Best Buy founder Schulze remains committed to takeover

Best Buy Co. co-founder Richard Schulze said that he is staying the course on his plan to acquire the company and take it private, adding that he has heard from a lineup of private equity firms prepared to make "significant commitments."

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. co-founder Richard Schulze said Thursday that he is staying the course on his plan to acquire the company and take it private, adding that he has heard from a lineup of private equity firms prepared to make "significant commitments."

In a letter to the Best Buy board, Schulze indicated that he'd like to create a group and put forth a fully financed plan.

August 6, 2012
Best Buy founder offers $8.8 billion to buy out company

Best Buy founder and former chairman Richard Schulze on Monday offered to buy the struggling retailer and take it private for as much as $8.8 billion.

Best Buy founder and former chairman Richard Schulze on Monday offered to buy the struggling retailer and take it private for as much as $8.8 billion. Schulze said he would offer Best Buy shareholders between $24 and $26 for each of their shares in the chain, according to a letter sent to the board that he made public.

July 13, 2012
Darden Restaurants to acquire Yard House USA

Darden Restaurants announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. for $585 million in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners LLC.

Orlando, Fla. -- Darden Restaurants announced that it has agreed to acquire Yard House USA, Inc. for $585 million in an all-cash transaction from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners LLC. Yard House operates 39 restaurants in 13 states.

The brand will become part of Darden's Specialty Restaurant Group, which includes The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and Eddie V's.

July 10, 2012
Brentwood Associates acquires majority stake in Sundance Catalog

Private equity firm Brentwood Associates has acquired a majority stake in Sundance Holdings Group ("Sundance Catalog").

Los Angeles -- Private equity firm Brentwood Associates has acquired a majority stake in Sundance Holdings Group ("Sundance Catalog").

Sundance Catalog, founded by Robert Redford in 1989 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a multichannel direct marketer and specialty retailer of women's apparel and accessories, jewelry and home furnishings. Selling shareholders, including ACI Capital and Webster Capital, will retain a minority ownership stake, and the business will remain under the leadership of current president and CEO Matey Erdos.

July 9, 2012
Coldwater Creek announces new financing with Golden Gate Capital

Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital has provided Coldwater Creek with a five-year, $65 million senior secured term loan.

Sandpoint, Idaho -- Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital has provided Coldwater Creek with a five-year, $65 million senior secured term loan. The retailer also announced the completion of an amendment to its $70 million revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, which matures on May 16, 2016.

July 6, 2012
Christopher & Banks rejects buyout offer from Aria Partners; adopts poison pill

Christopher & Banks Corp. has rejected Aria Partners’ unsolicited $64 million takeover offer, saying it was not in the best interest of stockholders.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. has rejected Aria Partners’ unsolicited $64 million takeover offer, saying it was not in the best interest of stockholders. The private equity firm owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares. The retailer also adopted a stockholder rights plan, or poison pill, with a trigger at 15%

Private equity firm Aria owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares.

July 5, 2012
Christopher & Banks to review $64 million buyout offer

Christopher & Banks Corp. said it had received a takeover offer from private equity firm Aria Partners.

Plymouth, Minn. -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Tuesday it had received a takeover offer from private equity firm Aria Partners. The value set on the retailer is approximately $64 million.

The retailer said it will review the offer.

Aria currently owns 4% of Christopher & Banks shares.
 

June 22, 2012
Edible Arrangements announces private-equity investment; poised for growth

Edible Arrangements announced a strategic partnership with private equity firm Catterton Partners, which includes a capital investment toward expanding the Edible Arrangements brand globally.

Wallingford, Conn. -- Edible Arrangements announced on Friday a strategic partnership with private equity firm Catterton Partners, which includes a capital investment toward expanding the Edible Arrangements brand globally. 

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In addition, Edible Arrangements founder and CEO Tariq Farid said that Catterton Partners brings significant resources in areas from strategy to customer relations to supply chain management, which will accelerate the company's ability to reach new levels of growth.

June 5, 2012
Private equity firm buys majority stake in Party City in $2.7 billion deal

The Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Party City Holdings Inc., Rockaway, N.J., in a deal valued at $2.69 billion.

New York -- The Boston-based private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Party City Holdings Inc., Rockaway, N.J., in a deal valued at $2.69 billion.

May 16, 2012
Talbots, Sycamore extend exclusivity agreement

The Talbots and Sycamore Partners extended the exclusivity period for the private equity firm's non-binding $214.6 million takeover offer to May 22.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots and Sycamore Partners extended the exclusivity period for the private equity firm's non-binding $214.6 million takeover offer to May 22.

Talbots had entered into an exclusivity agreement with Sycamore on May 5, which was due to expire on May 15.

May 7, 2012
Sycamore Partners raises offer for Talbots

The Talbots Inc. said it has received a raised takeover offer of $214.6 million from private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

Hingman, Mass. -- The Talbots Inc. said it has received a raised takeover offer of $214.6 million from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The company also said it entered an exclusivity agreement with Sycamore, which will end on May 15.

Talbots said Sycamore had offered to pay $3.05 per share -- slightly higher than the $3.00 per share offer it made in December.

The board of retailer said it continues to evaluate strategic alternative.

February 1, 2012
Pep Boys to be acquired in $791 buyout

The Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack, has agreed to be taken private by private equity firm The Gores Group for about $791 million. The total transaction, including debt, is valued at about $1 billion.

Philadelphia -- The Pep Boys — Manny, Moe & Jack, has agreed to be taken private by private equity firm The Gores Group for about $791 million. The total transaction, including debt, is valued at about $1 billion.

Under the terms of the buyout, the Los Angeles-based Gores Group will pay Pep Boys shareholders $15 a share, 24% above the closing price on Friday.

December 20, 2011
Talbots rejects buyout offer from Sycamore Partners

Talbots Inc. has rejected a buyout offer from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners its biggest shareholder, saying the bid “substantially” undervalues the company.

New York City -- Talbots Inc. has rejected a buyout offer from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners its biggest shareholder, saying the bid “substantially” undervalues the company. The bid was valued at approximately at $205.2 million.

Sycamore is Talbots biggest shareholder, with a 9.9% in the company. In a statement, Talbots called the proposal inadequate and said it will explore its strategic options to help maximize value for its shareholders. The retailer did not set a deadline for when its review will end.

November 3, 2011
Sycamore Partners acquires 51% interest in Limited’s Mast Global Fashions

Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, and Limited Brands announced that Sycamore has acquired a controlling 51% interest in Mast Global Fashions, the third-party apparel sourcing division of Limited Brands.

New York City -- Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, and Limited Brands announced that Sycamore has acquired a controlling 51% interest in Mast Global Fashions, the third-party apparel sourcing division of Limited Brands.

Limited Brands will retain a 49% stake in this standalone apparel production and sourcing company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Limited Brands will retain 100% ownership of its separate sourcing operation for their intimate apparel and personal care/beauty businesses.